IU Trustees to hold open presidential forums at IUB

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- IU Trustee Sue H. Talbot, chair of the presidential search committee, will conduct two open forums at IU Bloomington on Sept. 15 (Friday) to solicit advice and recommendations from students, faculty and staff on the search for the 18th president of Indiana University.

The sessions will take place in the Redbud Room of the Indiana Memorial Union from 9 to 10 a.m. and from 3 to 4 p.m. Anyone may attend; reservations are not required.

"I strongly urge members of the IU family and interested individuals from our community to take this opportunity to tell trustees what they are looking for in a new president," Talbot said. "We need to hear from everyone."

Topics of discussion will include the major opportunities and challenges facing the university in the years ahead; the priorities that a new president should address in coming months; and the most important personal and professional qualities the new leader should possess. The board is also interested in receiving the names of any individuals who should be considered for the position.

Talbot said the board held similar town meetings during the last search and found them extremely insightful.

"A presidential search is always a huge undertaking, and this particular search comes at a critical time in the life of IU. The comments of our constituents will help shape our thinking and perspective," Talbot said.

Trustees will conduct open forums on all campuses in coming weeks and will meet with a number of stakeholders including faculty, students, staff, alumni, donors, state officials and civic leaders.

Anyone wishing to contact the Presidential Search Committee directly may do so by visiting the presidential search site on the Web at: http://www.indiana.edu/~nextpres.